I write regarding the 6 & 7 application for a zoning change (Wal-Mart store and site expansion). I’m sorry that I will not be able to speak to this issue personally at the public meeting this evening.
My understanding is that the preliminary concept plan envisions a 50% expansion of the footprint of the Wal-Mart store itself, as well as additional retail space (perhaps as many as 12 additional big box stores) that will increase commercial space on this site to 350,000 square feet from the current 135,000 square feet of the Wal-Mart store. This would mean that, together with the retail space already at the corner, the Woolwich/Woodlawn node would reach the status of a regional power centre at a total of 600,000 square feet.
This kind of retail space is simply not needed in Guelph at this time. My understanding is that we all want Guelph to continue to have a vibrant
downtown, and to focus on this. Therefore, priority needs to be given to
commercial intensification in the downtown.I think we are all aware of the need for profound and significant changes in
terms of how we care for our environment. This means we need to focus on
business that is conducive to providing local goods, and to walking and cycling which reduces our dependency upon our cars. Building a power centre with a huge parking lot is simply unrealistic, narrow-minded, downright ludicrous, and absolutely irresponsible in this day and age. Stores of this size are not conducive to community-building, to providing local goods, or even to easy use by seniors and other more vulnerable people.I urge Council to decide that a site expansion of this degree at 6 & 7 is not in the interest of the Guelph community. The City of Guelph should be at the forefront of environmental consideration, and not be following along what practically every other community of our size and bigger in Canada is doing. I drove across Canada two summers ago, and witnessed how ugly communities are as you enter them from the TransCanada – always the same big-box stores. Is there no courage to stand up and do things differently, with a mind to environmental care??? We need to take pride in our downtown, to create more green space, and to intensify business in our downtown, where there are local owners who often provide locally-made goods, and where businesses can welcome people on foot and on bicycle.
I urge Council to be forward-thinking and responsible in this regard and to not approve this zoning change and consequent increase in retail space at 6 and 7.